The taking of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish in the Upper Spencer Gulf will be stopped in the waters north of Arno Bay and Wallaroo with the State Government committing to closing the area to fishing of the species.
The closure will protect the only dense gathering of Cuttlefish in the world of its kind, and safeguard the spectacular tourism drawcard to Whyalla. It reinstates the closure which previously lapsed under the former Liberal government in 2020.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said “The annual migration of Australia Giant Cuttlefish to the waters of the Upper Spencer Gulf to breed is one of the most spectacular natural events in the Australian marine environment,”
“It’s right here on Whyalla’s doorstep and people from around the world come to make the most of this incredible experience.”
The protection ensures a balance between sustainability, regional tourism benefits and the utilisation of aquatic resources in the area.
Clare Scriven was joined by Member for Giles Eddie Hughes at Stony Point to view the area where the spawning aggregation occurs which the closure is said to boost tourism to Whyalla and protect its unique marine environment.
“The closure protects and preserves one of the natural wonders of South Australian marine life,” Eddie Hughes said.
“I look forward to maximising the potential that exists for nature-based tourism in our area.”
The closure area is in addition to the permanent cephalopod (squid, cuttlefish, octopus) fishing closure in the False Bay/Point Lowly spawning area.
In the broader protection area of the Northern Spencer Gulf, it remains open to recreational and commercial fishers targeting other fish species including squid and octopus but protects the iconic Cuttlefish.
For further information on the latest Giant Australian Cuttlefish protection measures, click here.
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